Syd Norman's Pour House

[Karezz]

I am starting a new thread on this as it seems people are replying to topics started in the early 2000's!!

We frequented Syd Norman's on the Getaway in 2019. It was awesome! We are sailing the Viva in October and I noticed this ship also has Syd Norman's. However, I had read something online that this is now a paid (extra) venue! Is this true? In 2019 we simply walked in found a seat and had a great time. Anyone know anything about this?

[Liljo22]

Its is not a pay venue on the Prima so I doubt it will be on the Viva.  People line up early to get a seat but there are no reservations and anyone can walk in and find an open space or even a seat if someone leaves.  

Edited May 2, 2023 by Liljo22

[UKstages]

the venue on the prima is very small and many assume it will be the same on the viva, as well.

 

so that may mean that it will be difficult to get a seat.

[cruiseny4life]

NCL's website spazzes out sometimes and shows Syd's as a for pay venue. It's not. At least not yet. Ignore the website if it shows a cost. You'll know if you start hearing grousing on Cruise Critic about it truly becoming a paid venue.

[shoptom]

I'm just off the Getaway on Monday at Norman's was free.  Great shows!  You had to be there an hour early to get a decent seat until the crowd shows up to stand in front of you.

[AlanFromFL]

We just got off Escape and I can confirm that Syd Norman's was definitely not a paid venue, but it did fill up quickly, we arrived at least45 minutes early to ensure a seat.  Every show was SRO by the the time the band took the stage at 9:00.  Great show!

[clpblue]

Was on the Escape last week. on Escape there is a place right outside Syd's. with bar, tables, speakers and screens to watch the band. does this exist on the Viva?

Edited April 6 by clpblue

[ontheweb]

12 minutes ago, clpblue said:

Was on the Escape last week. on Escape there is a place right outside Syd's. with bar, tables, speakers and screens to watch the band. does this exist on the Viva?

Don't know about the Viva, but that venue did not exist (at least this summer) on the sisiter ship, Prima.

[laudergayle]

53 minutes ago, clpblue said:

Was on the Escape last week. on Escape there is a place right outside Syd's. with bar, tables, speakers and screens to watch the band. does this exist on the Viva?

I’m curious about Syd’s on the Escape.  We just booked Escape for January.  When looking at what’s onboard it just called this venue as The Pour House…and described it as all new.  The other ships with Syd’s still use that name.  I wonder if they are abandoning the use of Syd Norman which I believe has licensing fees and restrictions (I.e., Syd Band can’t play outside Syd’s.).

 

IMO that would be s good thing for NCL cruisers…assuming they still do the same music/show.  With NCL controlling the performers, songs, and show,  they could also perform in main theater for larger crowds.  This is actually one NCL change I think is right on the money.

 

Here is the description that the Escape shows for The Pour House vs. The Breakaway.

Pour House

Get ready to bar hop to the all-new Pour House. From handcrafted cocktails on tap for the ones who like to shake things up, to classic libations for those who prefer to keep it neat, Pour House will have you saying bottoms up from the moment you step aboard.

 

Syd Norman’s Pour House

From gritty brick walls to live rock ’n’ roll, you’ll feel like you’re in one of LA’s legendary rock clubs at Syd Norman’s Pour House. Sip on a Witchy Woman while chilling on The Waterfront. Quiz the bartender’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything from Axl to Mick. Belt the night away to classics you love because after all, it’s only rock ’n’ roll but you’ll like it!

 

[Panhandle Couple]

3 hours ago, laudergayle said:

I’m curious about Syd’s on the Escape.  We just booked Escape for January.  When looking at what’s onboard it just called this venue as The Pour House…and described it as all new.  The other ships with Syd’s still use that name.  I wonder if they are abandoning the use of Syd Norman which I believe has licensing fees and restrictions (I.e., Syd Band can’t play outside Syd’s.).

 

IMO that would be s good thing for NCL cruisers…assuming they still do the same music/show.  With NCL controlling the performers, songs, and show,  they could also perform in main theater for larger crowds.  This is actually one NCL change I think is right on the money.

 

Here is the description that the Escape shows for The Pour House vs. The Breakaway.

Pour House

Get ready to bar hop to the all-new Pour House. From handcrafted cocktails on tap for the ones who like to shake things up, to classic libations for those who prefer to keep it neat, Pour House will have you saying bottoms up from the moment you step aboard.

 

Syd Norman’s Pour House

From gritty brick walls to live rock ’n’ roll, you’ll feel like you’re in one of LA’s legendary rock clubs at Syd Norman’s Pour House. Sip on a Witchy Woman while chilling on The Waterfront. Quiz the bartender’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything from Axl to Mick. Belt the night away to classics you love because after all, it’s only rock ’n’ roll but you’ll like it!

 

Syd Norman is a made up name and person.  No royalties required.

The location restriction is for the Fleetwood Mac Rumors performance.

 

On Breakaway Christmas cruise, the band played as part of the Christmas show at the main theater.  They also played 4 gigs at Syd Normans that cruise (Fleetwood Mac, 2 nights of classic rock, and Prom night)

They have also been confirmed playing in the Viva theater's "open" configuration for Prom night.  (The open configuration leaves a large dance floor area in front of the stage, making it a "Prom like" event.)

 

The whole idea of Syd Normans is to enact the small club feeling of large cities, where many rock groups get their start.  This includes the closeness and interaction with the crowd.  You can't get that in the main theaters.

 

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

 

 

The whole idea of Syd Normans is to enact the small club feeling of large cities, where many rock groups get their start.  This includes the closeness and interaction with the crowd.  You can't get that in the main theaters.

 

And that closeness surely adds to the fun of their performance. On the Prima this past summer I even got to speak with 2 of the singers who were fascinated with my experience at the original Woodstock festival in 1969.

[laudergayle]

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

And that closeness surely adds to the fun of their performance. On the Prima this past summer I even got to speak with 2 of the singers who were fascinated with my experience at the original Woodstock festival in 1969.

I don’t disagree that having a small, limited seating venue is the preferred setting for an up close performance.  But I also like when the musicians/performers can do their show for larger audiences who may not have been able (or want) to see in Syd’s.  The Cavern Club Beatles is a good example.  

[Liljo22]

11 hours ago, Panhandle Couple said:

Syd Norman is a made up name and person.  No royalties required.

The location restriction is for the Fleetwood Mac Rumors performance.

 

On Breakaway Christmas cruise, the band played as part of the Christmas show at the main theater.  They also played 4 gigs at Syd Normans that cruise (Fleetwood Mac, 2 nights of classic rock, and Prom night)

They have also been confirmed playing in the Viva theater's "open" configuration for Prom night.  (The open configuration leaves a large dance floor area in front of the stage, making it a "Prom like" event.)

 

The whole idea of Syd Normans is to enact the small club feeling of large cities, where many rock groups get their start.  This includes the closeness and interaction with the crowd.  You can't get that in the main theaters.

 

Made up person but created by the team behind Rock of Ages for NCL.  There is a separate company that NCL contracts with to license the shows.  They do restrict where their performers can sing even outside of Rumors.  

[ppcox]

On 4/6/2024 at 10:09 PM, ontheweb said:

Don't know about the Viva, but that venue did not exist (at least this summer) on the sisiter ship, Prima.

Cruised on Prima and Viva and both had Syd’s pour house. Couldn’t get a seat but enjoyed the performances of Rumours.

[ontheweb]

11 hours ago, ppcox said:

Cruised on Prima and Viva and both had Syd’s pour house. Couldn’t get a seat but enjoyed the performances of Rumours.

I only had a seat once, and I gave it up. It's rock and roll; you stand and shake your old body to the music!

[ppcox]

4 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I only had a seat once, and I gave it up. It's rock and roll; you stand and shake your old body to the music!

Yes you are right and my husband was Ok standing. He went every time it was on. I’m limited to the amount of standing I can do without pain. Especially after a busy day.

[Bobaloo66]

Just completed  Getaway re-positioning cruise Oct 18 and attended three different programs (same performers) at Syd Norman's. No additional charge - just line up and wait for the doors to open

[bkrickles1]

10 minutes ago, Bobaloo66 said:

Just completed  Getaway re-positioning cruise Oct 18 and attended three different programs (same performers) at Syd Norman's. No additional charge - just line up and wait for the doors to open

Loved Syd Norman's on Getaway!!

We went to all the shows too.

I hung out at the Sunset Bar (my go to before dinner bar), literally just a few feet from Syd's, and my wife and daughter took turns waiting on the front of the line so we always had terrific seats. All the shows were super enjoyable!

My wife actually did most of the waiting as she made lots of friends on line. Lol!!

[ontheweb]

19 minutes ago, Bobaloo66 said:

Just completed  Getaway re-positioning cruise Oct 18 and attended three different programs (same performers) at Syd Norman's. No additional charge - just line up and wait for the doors to open

Nice pictures. Definitely the prom night show.

[complawyer]

i'll probably get blasted for this post, and damned for all eternity, but here goes.

 

we were on the prima, iceland to southampton about a month ago. we were sailing with another couple who sang hosanna's about syd norman's. we  went twice. got in line about 30 minutes prior to opening. only a few people ahead of us, and we got seats right up front.

band wasnt bad for  cruise ship entertainers, but collectively just so-so. our friends went the night of rumors, but i passed. we've been on 30 ncl cruises. and going to syd norman's never crossed my mind before. for how many cruises with ncl i may have left, it will probably never cross my mind to go again.

 

this is not to be construed as a negative post, just my personal opinion. that being said however,

on the first show we saw, one of the 2 female singers did janis joplin's "take another little piece of my heart"  She was absolutely AMAZING!!! A massive round of applause to/for her

 

[stellarose33]

1 hour ago, bkrickles1 said:

Loved Syd Norman's on Getaway!!

We went to all the shows too.

I hung out at the Sunset Bar (my go to before dinner bar), literally just a few feet from Syd's, and my wife and daughter took turns waiting on the front of the line so we always had terrific seats. All the shows were super enjoyable!

My wife actually did most of the waiting as she made lots of friends on line. Lol!!

excited about going on getaway next summer.  needs tips on Sid Norman's. 

[bkrickles1]

6 minutes ago, stellarose33 said:

excited about going on getaway next summer.  needs tips on Sid Norman's. 

what kind of tips are you looking for?

[sharonann24]

First of all, we LOVE Syd Norman's and have had different experiences with the venue.  First time we were on the Breakaway where we just randomly stumbled into it and just loved the vibe and the music.  We were able to get seats and there was live entertainment but it was not the Rumours show.  We were on the Prima last year and found the experience very different.  It is a smaller room and it was packed early every night.  We occasionally snagged a seat but still enjoyed the music.  I think the Rumours show really attracts the crowd.  But we just got off the Prima (Southampton to Rome) and this time they presented the Rumours show in the Prima Theater.  Surprisingly it was a good site and gave it more of a concert feel whereas in the bar it self it was more clubby.  Great music and a good time.  We will now be on the Escape in April and I am looking forward to seeing how it compares.  So, my tip is this...if you definitely want a seat you need to go early and wait on line--but I am not wasting 30-40 minutes of my cruise life that I will never get back waiting in a line in the corridor! LOL! Good luck and keep rocking!

[stellarose33]

14 hours ago, bkrickles1 said:

what kind of tips are you looking for?

1. do you have to stand outside the venues for over an hour to get seats? 

2.  which shows should not be missed?

3.  any other NCL things we need to know. 

[ontheweb]

51 minutes ago, sharonann24 said:

First of all, we LOVE Syd Norman's and have had different experiences with the venue.  First time we were on the Breakaway where we just randomly stumbled into it and just loved the vibe and the music.  We were able to get seats and there was live entertainment but it was not the Rumours show.  We were on the Prima last year and found the experience very different.  It is a smaller room and it was packed early every night.  We occasionally snagged a seat but still enjoyed the music.  I think the Rumours show really attracts the crowd.  But we just got off the Prima (Southampton to Rome) and this time they presented the Rumours show in the Prima Theater.  Surprisingly it was a good site and gave it more of a concert feel whereas in the bar it self it was more clubby.  Great music and a good time.  We will now be on the Escape in April and I am looking forward to seeing how it compares.  So, my tip is this...if you definitely want a seat you need to go early and wait on line--but I am not wasting 30-40 minutes of my cruise life that I will never get back waiting in a line in the corridor! LOL! Good luck and keep rocking!

We saw Syd Norman's on the Prima. I only had a seat once, and immediately went off of it as it is rock and roll and one should shake their body to the music. And in case anyone says you can get away with standing if you are young, I am 77 and was 76 for that sailing.

 

Looking forward to being in Syd Norman's Pour House later this year, again on the Prima. Rumours does seem to be the one most packed, so if they move that one to the theater, I would be fine with that. Though I must say I enjoyed the intimate nature of the small venue and actually got to talk to two of the singers during our summer 2023 cruise.